Jubilee Audience - Catechesis. 4. To hope is to dig. Empress Helena

Dear brothers and sisters, today we reflected more deeply on the gift of hope. Like children digging in the earth, we are called to dig beneath the surface of life with curiosity and trust to discover the hidden treasure of God’s Kingdom. Once freed from persecution, the early Christians began to excavate the land in places connected to Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection. Among them was the mother of Emperor Constantine, Empress Helena, who, motivated by her humble faith, found Jesus’ cross in Jerusalem. Let us imitate her example by rekindling in our hearts the desire to clear away hardness and pride, uncovering the greatest treasure of all: friendship with the Lord Jesus.

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I greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, particularly the groups from Uganda and the United States of America.  I pray that this Jubilee may be a time of spiritual renewal, rekindling our hope for the forgiveness of our sins, for the help of God’s grace and for life everlasting.  Upon all of you and your families, I invoke the strength and peace of Jesus Christ.  God bless you!